With both Skipton and Barnsley losing their fixtures, Malton and Norton's 29-7 home win over Moortown this win puts them in pole position in Yorkshire Division Three.

The weather was hardly conducive to open flowing rugby with driving rain and a gale force wind making handling and running difficult on the heavy surface.

However, Malton opened brightly with a try after five minutes. Good play from the forwards set up the backs to split the defence. A last ditch tackle prevented a score but the pack were on hand

to clear up and Steve Hayhurst forced his way over for the first of his two tries.

Malton were playing some exciting rugby, having had the riot act read to them following the previous week's game, and further tries were always on the cards. Moortown were battling against the weather and also had no answer to a Malton pack which dominated the set pieces.

Former club skipper and veteran prop Steve Riddolls justified his selection in this department with a solid performance.

After ten minutes Malton struck again when fullback Ian Mansell entered the line and forced his way over for another try.

Scrum half Andy Newsome used his boot to keep Malton in scoring territory and from another good drive Riddolls earned the biggest cheer of the day when he used all of his skill to open his season's account, having narrowly missed two earlier chances.

Malton were threatening to run up a large score but Moortown never gave up and held Malton to one further score by Hayhurst, converted by Newsome in the first half.

In the second period it was Malton's turn to face the elements. With the gale almost ruling out any defensive kicking it was imperative to keep the ball in hand.

Good forward pressure and strong running from Carl Rushworth set up the Malton backs to feed centre Tim Chapman who side stepped his way over between the posts for Newsome to convert.

Using the wind to their advantage Moortown mounted a spirited come back and, assisted by bad discipline in the Malton ranks, were able to show that they could be a threat in the threequarters if they could gain enough possession.

Malton's defence was up to the task for the most part but could not cope for the ten minutes flanker Dave Knaggs spent in the sin bin for an obstruction offence. For the only time in the game the visitors pack gained good ball to feed their backs and fly half Carl Minns broke through for a consolation try.

Simon Pogson added the extras but time had run out and Malton had gained a well earned victory ahead of next weeks home Tetley Vase clash with Old Rishworthians.